Garment pocket for carrying an object in a concealed state

Abstract

A pocket for a garment is disclosed. The pocket comprises a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion to form a partially-enclosed space. The partially-enclosed space comprises a region defined by (1) a first line corresponding substantially to a line of flexion of a hip joint of a wearer of the garment, (2) a second line corresponding substantially to a centerline of a thigh of a wearer of the garment, and (3) a third line corresponding approximately to an inseam of a wearer of the garment. The region is configured and disposed to substantially conceal an object (e.g., a handgun magazine) retained in the region from a person viewing the garment. The pocket further comprises a retaining device disposed in the region. The retaining device is configured and disposed to hold the object in a fixed position in the region.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A pocket for a garment comprising:
 a first portion; and 
 a second portion connected to the first portion to form a partially-enclosed space accessible through a first opening, the partially-enclosed space comprising a region smaller than the partially-enclosed space; 
 the region comprising a partially-enclosed subspace smaller than the region, the partially-enclosed subspace being defined by
 an inner edge disposed proximate to an inseam of the garment; 
 a base edge extending substantially perpendicularly from the inner edge; and 
 a seam connecting the first portion and the second portion, the seam extending from the base edge in a direction substantially parallel to the inner edge and substantially perpendicular to the base edge, the seam being disposed in the partially-enclosed space and being configured and disposed to aid in orienting a first object in the partially-enclosed subspace; 
 
 the partially-enclosed subspace being accessible through a second opening, the second opening being located opposite the base edge and extending between the seam and the inner edge; 
 a retaining device positioned in the region at a location outside of the partially-enclosed subspace and near the second opening and the inner edge, the retaining device being operable to retain a handgun magazine in a fixed position in the retaining device; and 
 the retaining device having a third opening to receive the handgun magazine and the retaining device being oriented to have the third opening be directed toward the first opening to facilitate removal of the handgun magazine from the retaining device by a wearer of the garment. 
 
     
     
       2. The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining device is disposed on the first portion. 
     
     
       3. The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining device is disposed on the second portion. 
     
     
       4. The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the region is defined by
 a first line corresponding substantially to a line of flexion of a hip joint of the garment; 
 a second line corresponding substantially to a centerline of a thigh of the garment; 
 a third line corresponding approximately to an inseam of the garment; and 
 a fourth line corresponding substantially to a line of flexion of a knee joint of the garment. 
 
     
     
       5. The pocket of  claim 4 , wherein the retaining device is positioned adjacent to the first line. 
     
     
       6. The pocket of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the region has a first portion and a second portion; 
 the retaining device is a first retaining device and is positioned in the first portion of the region; 
 the second portion of the region is defined by
 a first line corresponding substantially to a line of flexion of a hip joint of the garment; 
 a second line corresponding substantially to a centerline of a thigh of the garment; 
 a third line corresponding approximately to an inseam of the garment; and 
 a fourth line corresponding substantially to a waistline of the garment; and 
 
 a second retaining device positioned in the second portion of the region, the second retaining device being configured and disposed to hold a third object in a fixed position in the partially enclosed space. 
 
     
     
       7. The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining device comprises a retainer and an attachment zone, the retainer being configured to releasably retain the handgun magazine. 
     
     
       8. The pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the retainer and the attachment zone are configured to enable the retainer to be repeatedly attached and detached from the attachment zone. 
     
     
       9. The pocket of  claim 8 , wherein the retainer includes the third opening and a second partially-enclosed space, the third opening being configured and disposed to provide access to the second partially-enclosed space, the retainer being configured to retain the handgun magazine at least partially within the second partially-enclosed space. 
     
     
       10. The pocket of  claim 9 , wherein the retainer comprises a first layer and a second layer attached to the first layer to form the second partially-enclosed space, the first layer comprising an elastic material to apply a compressive force against the handgun magazine to releasably retain the handgun magazine in the retainer. 
     
     
       11. The pocket of  claim 10 , wherein the retainer comprises:
 a first side and a second side parallel to the first side; 
 a third side extending between the first side and the second side and positioned perpendicular to the first side and the second side; 
 a fourth side extending between the first side and the second side and positioned opposite the third side; and 
 the first layer is attached to the second layer along the first side, the second side and the fourth side. 
 
     
     
       12. The pocket of  claim 11 , wherein the third opening is positioned along the third side. 
     
     
       13. The pocket of  claim 12 , wherein the fourth side is not perpendicular to the first side and the second side. 
     
     
       14. The pocket of  claim 13 , wherein the fourth side is disposed proximate to an inseam of the garment. 
     
     
       15. The pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment zone is directly connected to the first portion. 
     
     
       16. The pocket of  claim 15 , wherein the attachment zone comprises loop-type fasteners. 
     
     
       17. The pocket of  claim 16 , wherein the retainer comprises a first layer and a second layer attached to a first surface of the first layer. 
     
     
       18. The pocket of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first layer has a second surface located opposite the first surface and the second layer; 
 the second surface comprises hook-type fasteners; and 
 the second layer comprises an elastic material to apply a compressive force against the handgun magazine to releasably retain the handgun magazine in the retainer. 
 
     
     
       19. The pocket of  claim 8 , wherein the retainer and the attachment zone are connected together using hook-type fasteners and loop-type fasteners. 
     
     
       20. The pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the retaining device comprises a plurality of retainers and a plurality of corresponding attachment zones. 
     
     
       21. The pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the retainer and the attachment zone have substantially congruent shapes. 
     
     
       22. The pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the retainer comprises a first side and a second side parallel to the first side. 
     
     
       23. The pocket of  claim 22 , wherein the retainer comprises a third side extending between the first side and the second side and positioned perpendicular to the first side and the second side. 
     
     
       24. The pocket of  claim 23 , wherein the retainer comprises a fourth side extending between the first side and the second side and positioned opposite the third side. 
     
     
       25. The pocket of  claim 24 , wherein the fourth side is not perpendicular to the first side and the second side. 
     
     
       26. The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining device comprises a retainer directly connected to the first portion, the retainer comprises an elastic material to apply a compressive force against the handgun magazine to releasably retain the handgun magazine in the retainer.